FORSYTH, Ga. — Two men were arrested Thursday after a Georgia State Patrol trooper stopped them at a Marathon station in the Monroe County city of Forsyth, where police say one of the men had just taken a bank bag holding $13,257 from a woman's vehicle.

Forsyth police said officers were sent at 1:34 p.m. Nov. 12 to the station at 171 N. Lee St., according to accounts of the department's report by 41NBC, WGXA and FOX 5 Atlanta. Police said the woman was pumping gas when two men pulled up in a 2026 Toyota RAV4. One of them got out, opened her passenger door, grabbed the bank bag from inside and returned to the SUV as the pair tried to drive off, those accounts said.

A trooper already in the lot saw the theft and moved in, police said. FOX 5 Atlanta, citing Lt. Kimberly Barnett of the Forsyth Police Department, reported that the trooper ran toward the vehicle and shouted, trying to get the woman's attention. Barnett told the station the trooper held onto the vehicle, was pulled about 30 to 40 feet, then drew his gun and pointed it at the men.

"The trooper was in the parking lot and witnessed the incident. He ran up and was screaming to attempt to get her attention," Barnett told FOX 5 Atlanta.

The Georgia State Patrol told FOX 5 Atlanta that an off-duty Bibb County deputy helped take the passenger into custody during a brief struggle. The trooper had minor injuries, the station reported, though officials did not describe them further. Forsyth police told FOX 5 Atlanta the woman was not physically hurt. The trooper was not named in the published accounts.

Police said the trooper kept the two men at the station until city officers arrived and made the arrests. The men, identified as Darius Mickens, 29, and Tywann Blackmon, 26, were booked into the Monroe County Jail on robbery charges, and police said the investigation could bring more charges.

Police have not said in the published accounts whether the $13,257 was recovered, though they said the men were stopped before they could leave the lot.

"It's not that crazy for Forsyth," she said.

She also urged drivers to lock their vehicles and keep valuables out of sight. "You see how quick these types of things can happen, so secure your vehicles and be vigilant," Barnett told FOX 5 Atlanta. "It's holiday shopping season. Let's make sure that we don't leave any valuables sitting out that can be seen inside of our vehicles."

Forsyth police asked anyone with information to call Lt. Jefcoats at 478-993-1005, ext. 109.

Sources FOX 5 Atlanta: Thieves target woman's truck at gas station, then trooper stepped in (Nov. 13); 2 men accused of taking $13,257 from car at Forsyth gas pump (Nov. 13) WSB-TV: Trooper thwarts suspects attempting to steal $13K in bank bag (Nov. 13) 41NBC: Two men arrested after $13,257 taken from woman at Forsyth gas station (Nov. 12) WGXA: Two men jailed after Forsyth gas station robbery stopped, more charges pending (Nov. 12) 13WMAZ: 2 men charged with stealing bank bag with over $13,000 inside during Monroe County gas station robbery (Nov. 13)

All dates 2026.